listography (64)

Phil Rosenthal is a writer and director who is best known as the creator of the Emmy Award-winning CBS comedy, Everybody Loves Raymond. Rosenthal is the host of I’ll Have What Phil’s Having, a food and travel show on PBS. The Los Angeles episode airs Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 at 10/9 Central (8 p.m. N.Y. / WNET). Read on for Rosenthal’s thoughts on the L.A. dining spots he visits on the show.

There are cities that have a few go-to cuisines, but L.A., at the moment, has more than any. That’s why I think it is the best food city in America right now. It’s our cultural diversity that's our strength. And the strength is in the sheer numbers: we have the biggest population of Chinese people in the world outside of China. Also, the Korean population, Mexicans, Thai, Armenians... We could keep going. They've brought their cultures and cuisines into this massive expanse, and if you're playing the odds of hitting a great place to eat in L.A., you're going to win more times here than anywhere else.

I recently teamed up with Discover Los Angeles for a little staycation in Venice Beach. I love everything about L.A. and feel so lucky anytime I get the chance to have adventures in my own city. Every time I take a staycation I fall more and more in love with Los Angeles.

Lubov Azria is the Chief Creative Officer of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP. Established in 1989 in Los Angeles by Founder and CEO Max Azria, BCBGMAXAZRIA is recognized globally for its high-quality, chic and sophisticated offerings. Lubov joined the company as a designer in 1991 and was named Creative Director in 1996. During Lubov’s tenure, the BCBGMAXAZRIA brand has evolved from an emerging contemporary line to one of America's leading design houses, with collections that include evening dresses, denim, outerwear, footwear, swimwear, handbags and small leather goods. In recognition of her accomplishments as a designer and creative leader, Lubov was inducted into the CFDA in 2010.

Read on for Lubov Azria's favorite places in L.A., from shopping and museums to great dining spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Rafer Johnson is one of the greatest athletes in U.S. history. Johnson was the USA team captain, flag bearer and Decathlon Gold Medalist at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Among his many accolades, Johnson was named the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1958, and won the 1960 James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in America, breaking that award's color barrier. In 1974, Johnson was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. Johnson was selected to light the Olympic Cauldron at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to open the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. In 1998, he was named one of ESPN's 100 Greatest North American Athletes of the 20th Century. In 2006, the NCAA named the former UCLA Bruin as one of the 100 Most Influential Student Athletes of the past 100 years.

Rafer Johnson, along with a small group of volunteers, founded Special Olympics California in 1969 by conducting a competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 900 individuals with intellectual disabilities. As Los Angeles welcomes thousands of athletes and visitors to the Special Olympics World Games, Johnson shares some of his favorite places in L.A.

Professional dancer turned actor Harry Shum Jr. has shown his ability on the hit TV series “Glee.” Now he has a new adventure: a dramatic role with his Chinese heritage on the new film “Revenge of the Green Dragons.” Born in Costa Rica with a father from mainland China and a mother from Hong Kong, Harry was raised in San Francisco and has been enjoying L.A. life very much.

Emily Henderson is the founder and driving force behind Emily Henderson Design, a multifaceted interior design firm and lifestyle brand. Born and raised in Oregon, Emily moved to New York City after graduating from college, where she worked as a freelance stylist whose roster included Martha Stewart, Target, West Elm and Anthropologie until she eventually relocated to Los Angeles. She is the winner of HGTV Design Star, hosted HGTV’s Secrets from a Stylist, is currently Target's Home Style Expert, and is the creator and writer of the daily design blog, www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com. Her work has been featured on the covers of Domino, Good Housekeeping, Bon Appetit and Coastal Living, amongst others. With clients and projects across the nation, Emily infuses style, function, and a little bit of her iconic personality into everything she works on.

As a lover of delicious food, Emily feels fortunate to live in the thick of L.A.’s thriving dining scene. Following are some of her top picks from dineL.A.’s Restaurant Week.

After leading his Northern California high school team to a California state championship, and being named First-Team All-State and the Northern California Division II Player of the Year, NBA superstar Jeremy Lin – now playing professional basketball for the LA Lakers - shares his favorite places in L.A. to indulge and unwind.

Zoe Nathan describes herself as a baker with a love of preparing all things dough and dessert related. Her approach to baking is centered around the use of great ingredients, a healthy mix of sweet and salty, and her personal adage about baking dark that “color is flavor.” Nathan infuses this philosophy into all four of the restaurants she co-owns with her husband Josh Loeb: Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen, Huckleberry Café and Bakery, Sweet Rose Creamery, and Milo and Olive. Read on for 10 of Zoe Nathan's favorite restaurants in L.A.